Hitler’s Judas

Tom Lewis
VP Publishing, LLC (2007)
ISBN 9780970579362
Reviewed by Andrea Barry for Reader Views (12/07)


I decided to review this book based on the title alone, because I am a fan of history and enjoy historical fiction. I don’t know nearly enough about WWII, but I do have a rudimentary understanding of why the war happened, what everyone’s goals were and what the outcome was.

I found this book fascinating because it delves into the personal life of Martin Bormann, personal secretary to Adolf Hitler. It also tells the story of Horst von Hellenbach, Germany’s celebrated U-Boat Captain. Throughout most of the book, we alternate chapter for chapter between the two characters and their part in fighting Hitler’s war.

As we advance through the story, we discover that Martin Bormann is scheming his way out of the Third Reich. We learn that he does not really support Hitler and Hitler’s ideals; he is merely an opportunist who seized onto the idea that would afford him the most comfortable lifestyle possible for the age. Bormann is a genius though and he knows that the Third Reich will soon be coming to a disastrous close. With this knowledge in mind, he begins formulating a plan that will allow him to escape Germany and the Third Reich undetected so that he may live out the rest of his life comfortably. His plans include stealing 50 million in Nazi gold, which he plans to take to the coast of the United States where he hopes to live on what he believes to be a deserted island.

Throughout the book, we wonder when the stories of Martin Bormann and Horst von Hellenbach will collide as they both move so erratically. We discover the answer near the climax of the book and come to a conclusion that no one could have predicted while reading the book.

After reading the conclusion, I understand more how this book fits into the Pea Island Gold Trilogy and am intent on seeking out the first book, “Sunday’s Child,” so that I may learn more about that story and exactly what impact this story has on that as they seem fairly unrelated as related as I know they are.

In summary, I found this book to be well-written, fascinating and for the most part, historically accurate. I certainly left with far more knowledge of the inner workings of the Third Reich and World War II. It was an excellent read and I highly recommend “Hitler’s Judas” to anyone who is interested in historical fiction or suspense.

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